NB by J. C. by James Campbell

Author:James Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paul Dry Books
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

2012

February 17

February 14 will henceforth be known as Saint Jeanette’s Day. Fresh from having issued a 250-page public shaming of her adoptive mother, Jeanette Winterson is “optimistic about love again”:

love in every shape and size and disguise. Known love, new love, love’s ghosts, love’s hopes… . Love is an ecosystem. You can’t neglect it, exploit it, pollute it, and wonder what happened to the birds and the bees.

With money “gone”—“it was an illusion”—there is an opportunity to “re-think love.”

Once a child preacher in Accrington, Lancashire, Jeanette has never ceased quoting from the Book of Jeanette. No other contemporary writer would get away with it—imagine Julian Barnes instructing us to “re-think love”—but for some reason she does. The Guardian gave up its front page on February 14, for Jeanette to say, “hug those who love us—and give some hugs to those who don’t get loved enough.” And to say it again: “Love your loved ones. Love the stranger.”

There was something for every member of the flock. If “love is an ecosystem” has you re-thinking just that bit too much, try “There are so many different kinds of love,” or “Love is an alternative currency.” Or, indeed, “Children need so much love.” Teenagers were not forgotten. “They need to see that love can change and deepen.” Think about it, then re-think about it. Money is an illusion, but “love isn’t a commodity.”

“We all had a fantasy that love could take care of itself.” We did, didn’t we all? Now let’s make the planet “a place we can call home.” Love your loved ones. (Saint Jeanette didn’t re-think that one through.) The piece will remain on the website until April 1, when the Guardian will take it down.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.